devin FROM florida

Ever since I was introduced to Stereotype Co, I have been a proud supporter. Dave Nudleman has created such a positive and forward thinking company. The message behind this company, Don’t Stop Dreaming, has empowered me during my journey these last 6 months, a journey that he is allowing me to share with you today. My name is Devin Capretta and this is my story.

Dont Stop Dreaming, a message that has followed me for the last 6 months to where I am today. Today, I am proud to say I have experienced some of the lowest of lows. I say proud because without these moments of complete despair and heartache, one could never truly experience the high times in life I would not be where I am today appreciating the high times in life. For the last 4 years, I have struggled through addiction and substance abuse, familial distress, homelessness and everything in between. Most importantly Worst of all, I stopped believing. I was at a total mental loss of self lost ambition complete loss of ambition and passion for the things and people I loved.

Then, one day, something finally clicked. I took a leap of faith and put out my hand for the help I needed and seeked treatment. I gave up almost all of my usual self the minute I checked into the building, I became incredibly depressed about not only leaving behind the drugs but the passions and the lifestyle I was leaving behind. I had no choice but to give up the lifestyle I had become accommodated to. I became incredibly depressed about leaving behind the drugs, the alcohol, the events with my friends, and everything else that had composed my life for the longest time. l went through my days almost as if my best friend died, in a zombie-like state, feeling as though part of me had died. Voices became background noise and my thoughts became an inescapable reality. as memories felt as though they were fading faster and faster as every day that went by. My memories flooded my mind and tortured me as I finally faced the reality of how destructive my lifestyle had been. I did, however, have a few constants throughout my stay. My family and my girlfriend never turned their backs on me during that painful process. They served as constant reminders of who I am as a person and what I was there to fight for. I also never removed my Stereotype Co wristband that I had received the day I was introduced to the company. It was a bit of inspiration every day to keep going.

Right before my discharge date, I received a package from none other than Dave Noodlez. It was filled with positivity, creativity, love, and, most importantly, that powerful message that pushed me every day: DON’T STOP DREAMING. My mood was instantly lightened and I realized this change is the best thing I could have done for myself. I was suddenly reminded of all the fun times I had positives in my life and what this change will mean to me and those around me. I left that facility with a sense of calm and assurance that perhaps I can overcome this and boarded a flight to Florida for an additional 30 days at a separate treatment center.

Im finally a free man after almost 60 days of being told when, how and what to do I was in the real world where the real test began. After almost 60 days of being told when, how, and what to do, I was finally released back out on my own where the real test began. I stayed in south Florida, a very tough but wise decision, and started my life over. I’m 1,200 miles from home but I was starving for change and needed to give this a chance.

The real world wasn’t so easy at first. As I began to experience real world problems, I had to learn to handle them without falling back on my old ways that I knew best. I needed to actually face and overcome them in a productive way, which has never been easy for me. My only mode of transportation was my feet and I had no source of income so my first mission became to find a job. I walked for miles and miles every day, through the blazing heat, the rain, and whatever else the day decided to bring. I ate pasta for 6 days straight to ration what money I did have. I was always reminding myself though that one day, this will be worth it. I began to cherish the noises from the cars passing me on the road I loved the sight of traffic looking at the cars and took in all of my surroundings, knowing eventually I won't have to do this again as long as I stay hungry for this change. The first month was one of the toughest hurdles to overcome but after receiving motivation from my family and friends and finally gaining some confidence, I came to believe in my decisions and, most importantly, myself. that this could actually work out I became to believe.

I then saw myself experiencing real world problems as they came to me I had to handle them without going back to what I know best. I had to overcome problems like everyone else does only this time they were beginning to finally get easier as time went by. The process is an ongoing journey where in life This journey is an ongoing process. I need to focus on better myself while still lending a hand to someone that needs it. I am learning to be better person not only for myself, but for those around me that I have let down in the past. I want to be someone others can finally rely on; someone capable of helping others in need.

Recently, I have been able to rekindle my biggest passion, which is music, and it has become my main tool for finding myself again. The feeling I got the day I received my new DJ equipment was indescribable. It was a moment of realization that my dreams were truly becoming a reality. Not only had I earned the money to buy the equipment on my own, but I finally had a part of me that I had given up on. My thoughts and moods now have a productive outlet and I can express myself through sound instead of destruction.

Even though I have begun to be able obtain plenty of material things, I honestly believe the most important thing I have been blessed with is this chance to change and the opportunity to better myself for the future. I know that if I can do this, so can anyone else reading this. It’s not always easy, but with patience, willpower and belief in yourself, we can all do amazing things.

My life today isn’t perfect by any means. I am 6 months sober but my journey is far from over. but the real change started coming when I learned to take Every day I am taking some of my darkest times, learning from them, and using them to better myself. We all have to overcome obstacles in life but how you handle them is most important. We can’t let them stop us from reaching our dreams.

Hopefully this story can help someone who is struggling or is in need of some motivation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t give up on yourself. Let this be a reminder that we should never lose hope or let go of the power we all have to change. Focus on what you love, your hopes and dreams for the future, and the right steps to get there and amazing things will happen. And most of all, DON’T STOP DREAMING.

Carolanne from Virgina

Carolanne in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France in her 'Love Wins' shirt during her vacation with her mother

Hello my name is Carolanne and I'm a proud supporter of a company called Stereotype Co. If you've never heard of this company, stop whatever you're doing and go on to their website because you're in for a life changing treat. In case you didn't read that correctly, I did say this company is life changing. When I first discovered this company I was at a venue in West Chester, PA to watch one of my favorite artist perform, Mike Stud. I had gotten meet and greet tickets to meet Mike and his crew. After I met him, I made my way to the merchandise tables. Along side of Mike Stud's merchandise table was a Stereotype Co. pop up shop. I was greeted by a guy named David Nudelman. He gave me the scoop on what Stereotype Co. was all about and I was thoroughly intrigued. He informed me that Stereotype Co. was a company based on the love of music. Not only does this company represent music, but this company also has a few inspirational messages that I now live by. Those messages include, Don't stop dreaming, Not afraid, spread positive vibes, and many more! All these messages are expressed in these products for you to wear to remind you of these messages everyday, and to teach the world something too. All products are hand-made in Staten Island, NY and nothing but love is put into each product. I have a bracelet that started my collection from Stereotype Co. that says Don't Stop Dreaming. I look down at it everyday and it inspires me to never give up on my dream and to always keep chasing it. Stereotype Co. changed my life because I never had the best confidence level. I never knew what I wanted out of life and I was afraid to achieve my dreams. I've been singing my entire life and I never thought I was good enough to step into a booth to record or to let other people hear my voice. This company truly inspired me to step into a recording booth for the very first time, and I've never felt so alive. It was the greatest feeling finally doing something that I had been afraid of for the longest time. So like I said this company is life changing. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself, and see what Stereotype Co. inspires you to do!